U.S. patent number 10,117,462 [Application Number 15/013,500] was granted by the patent office on 2018-11-06 for personal electronic vaporizer.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Intrepid Brands, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Intrepid Brands, LLC. Invention is credited to Curtis R. Berry, Trent Edward Grantz, David M. Johnson, Charles H. Melander, Michael G. Terry.
United States Patent |
10,117,462 |
Johnson , et al. |
November 6, 2018 |
Personal electronic vaporizer
Abstract
The disclosure relates to a personal electronic vaporizer
configured to receive a selected oven assembly and heat the medium
therein in accordance with a heating profile associate with the
selected oven assembly. The personal electronic vaporizer may
define a pathway entirely surrounded by a material. The material is
preferably an inert material such as glass or a material otherwise
desirable to channel the vapors emitted by the heated medium to the
user. The user may swap or select a different oven assembly
associated with a different heating profile. The first oven
assembly is thereafter removed from the personal electronic
vaporizer and replaced with the newly selected oven assembly. The
personal electronic vaporizer may automatically recognize the
particular selected oven assembly and heat the substance therein
according to a predefined heating profile associate with the oven
assembly.
Inventors: |
Johnson; David M. (Owensboro,
KY), Melander; Charles H. (Owensboro, KY), Terry; Michael
G. (Prospect, KY), Berry; Curtis R. (Louisville, KY),
Grantz; Trent Edward (Crestwood, KY) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Intrepid Brands, LLC |
Louisville |
KY |
US |
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Assignee: |
Intrepid Brands, LLC
(Louisville, KY)
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Family
ID: |
55353347 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/013,500 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20160227838 A1 |
Aug 11, 2016 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62110838 |
Feb 2, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
15/002 (20140204); A24F 47/008 (20130101); A61M
15/06 (20130101); H05B 1/0202 (20130101); H04R
1/028 (20130101); A61M 11/042 (20140204); A61M
15/0021 (20140204); H05B 3/0014 (20130101); A61M
2205/3653 (20130101); A61M 2205/6018 (20130101); A61M
2205/3368 (20130101); A61M 2205/581 (20130101); A61M
2205/3592 (20130101); A61M 2205/8206 (20130101); A61M
2021/0027 (20130101); A61M 2205/75 (20130101); A61M
2205/502 (20130101); A61M 2205/6054 (20130101); A61M
2205/8237 (20130101); A61M 2205/127 (20130101); A61M
2205/02 (20130101); A61M 2205/3569 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A24F
47/00 (20060101); A61M 15/06 (20060101); A61M
11/04 (20060101); A61M 15/00 (20060101); H04R
1/02 (20060101); H05B 1/02 (20060101); H05B
3/00 (20060101); A61M 21/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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WO 2013/138384 |
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Sep 2013 |
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WO |
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Other References
"Billy Wu's Review--Volcano Vaporizer." The AutoFlower
Network--AFN, WayBack Machine Generated NPL, Nov. 14, 2012,
www.autoflower.net/forums/threads/billy-wus-review-volcano-vaporizer.1373-
6/. cited by examiner .
"Top Quartz Ceramic Cotton Replacement Atomizer Dual Glass Globe
Coils Donut Wax Dry Herb Herbal Vaporizers Vape Pen E Cigarettes
Vapor Core Dry Herb Coils Quartz Coils Glass Tank Core Online with
$0.68/Piece on Chinabuyecigs's Store." Op Quartz Ceramic Cotton
Replacement Atomizer, DH Gate, Sep. 8, 2013,
www.dhgate.com/store/product/glass-tank-coil. cited by examiner
.
"Types of Percolator Bongs." BestBongReviews.com, Wayback Machine
Generated NPL, Sep. 24, 2014,
bestbongreviews.com:80/types-percolator-bongs/. cited by examiner
.
"V2 Pro Series 3 Vaporizer Review." Vapegrl.com, Wayback Machine
Cited NPL, Jul. 21, 2014,
vapegrl.com:80/v2-pro-series-3-vaporizer-review/. cited by examiner
.
VaporizerWizard. "V2 Pro Series 3 Vaporizer Review w/ Loose-Leaf
Demo." Vaporizer Wizard, Wayback Machine Generated NPL, Nov. 4,
2014, www.vaporizerwizard.com:80/v2-pro-series-3-vaporizer-review/.
cited by examiner .
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated May 3, 2016
for Application No. PCT/US2016/016155, 15 pgs. cited by
applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Malekzadeh; Seyed Masoud
Assistant Examiner: Willett; Taryn Trace
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Frost Brown Todd LLC
Parent Case Text
PRIORITY
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/110,838, filed Feb. 2, 2015, entitled
"Personal Electronic Vaporizer," the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein.
Claims
We claim:
1. A device comprising: a mouthpiece assembly defining a mouthpiece
channel and including an external portion and an internal portion;
a shell assembly extending between a first end and a second end and
defining a shell pocket therein, wherein the shell pocket opens
through the first end and is configured to slidably receive the
internal portion of the mouthpiece assembly therein; a first oven
assembly including a heating chamber surrounded by a material; a
second oven assembly including a heating chamber surrounded by the
material; a battery compartment assembly removably secured to the
second end of the shell assembly; and an oven mount assembly
secured to the battery compartment assembly, wherein the oven mount
assembly is configured to selectively receive one of the first oven
assembly and the second oven assembly and align the heating chamber
of the selected oven assembly with the mouthpiece channel when the
battery compartment is secured to the second end of the shell
assembly, wherein the oven mount assembly is configured to receive
the first oven assembly in a first orientation and thereby
electronically couple the first oven assembly to the battery in
accordance with a first heating profile, wherein the oven mount
assembly is configured to receive the second oven assembly in a
second orientation and thereby electronically couple the second
oven assembly to the battery in accordance with a second heating
profile.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the material is glass.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first oven assembly further
includes a heating coil operable to heat the first oven assembly in
accordance with the first heating profile, and wherein the second
oven assembly further includes a heating coil operable to heat the
second oven assembly in accordance with a second heating
profile.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the oven assembly includes an
electrode extending from the heating plate, wherein the oven mount
assembly defines a through hole for selectively engaging the
electrode when the oven assembly is disposed in the heater
receptacle.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first oven assembly further
includes a first heating plate and wherein the second oven assembly
further includes a second heating plate.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the first heating plate is
operable to heat the first oven assembly in accordance with the
first heating profile, and wherein the second heating plate is
operable to heat the second oven assembly in accordance with the
second heating profile.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the first end of the shell
assembly includes a first diameter and a second end having a second
diameter, and wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second
diameter.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first oven assembly further
includes a first plug and a second plug, and wherein the second
oven assembly further includes a third plug and a fourth plug.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the oven mount assembly includes
a first socket, a second socket, and a third socket, wherein the
first socket is configured to receive the first plug and the second
socket is configured to receive the second plug when the selected
oven is the first oven assembly, and wherein the third socket is
configured to receive the third plug and the first socket is
configured to receive the fourth plug when the selected oven is the
second oven assembly.
10. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an opening defined
by the external portion of the mouthpiece; and a pathway extending
from the opening through the mouthpiece to the heating chamber of
the first oven assembly when the first oven assembly is disposed in
the oven mount.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the pathway is surrounded by
glass.
12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a wireless
communication module disposed in one of the shell assembly, the
oven mount assembly, and the battery compartment assembly, wherein
the wireless communication module is configured to receive a set of
instructions wirelessly and actuate the battery.
13. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a speaker disposed
in one of the shell assembly, the oven mount assembly, and the
battery compartment assembly; and a wireless communication module
disposed in one of the shell assembly, the oven mount assembly, and
the battery compartment assembly, wherein the wireless
communication module is configured to receive a set of instructions
wirelessly and actuate the speaker.
14. A device comprising: a mouthpiece assembly defining a
mouthpiece channel and including an external portion and an
internal portion; a shell assembly extending between a first end
and a second end and defining a shell pocket therein, wherein the
shell pocket opens through the first end and configured to slidably
receive the internal portion of the mouthpiece assembly therein; a
first oven assembly including a heating chamber surrounded by a
material and a first identification prong; a second oven assembly
including a heating chamber surrounded by the material and a second
identification prong; a battery compartment assembly removably
secured to the second end of the shell assembly; and an oven mount
assembly secured to the battery compartment assembly, wherein the
oven mount assembly is configured to selectively receive one of the
first oven assembly and the second oven assembly and align the
heating chamber of the selected oven assembly with the mouthpiece
channel when the battery compartment is secured to the second end
of the shell assembly, wherein the oven mount assembly is
configured to receive the first identification prong and thereby
electronically couple the first oven assembly to the battery in
accordance with a first heating profile, wherein the oven mount
assembly is configured to receive the second identification prong
and thereby electronically couple the second oven assembly to the
battery in accordance with a second heating profile.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the first heating profile
includes a first goal temperature range, and wherein the second
heating profile includes a second goal temperature range.
16. The device of claim 15, further comprising: a sensor; a
microprocessor electronically coupled with the battery and the
sensor, wherein the microprocessor is configured to heat a first
medium disposed in the first oven assembly into the first goal
temperature range, and wherein the microprocessor is configured to
heat a second medium disposed in the second oven assembly into the
second goal temperature range.
17. The device of claim 16, further comprising a preheating chamber
defined by the oven mount assembly, wherein the preheating chamber
is oriented and configured to preheat air before the air enters the
oven assembly.
18. The device of claim 17, further comprising: a shell aperture
defined by the shell assembly; and a ring having a ring aperture
defined therein and rotatable about a portion of the shell
assembly, wherein the ring is configured to selectively rotate to
open and close fluid communication between the ring aperture and
the shell aperture.
19. The device of claim 14, further comprising a third oven
assembly including a heating chamber surrounded by the material and
a third identification prong, wherein the oven mount assembly is
configured to selectively receive the third oven assembly and align
the heating chamber of the third oven assembly with the mouthpiece
channel, wherein the oven mount assembly is configured to receive
the third identification prong and thereby electronically couple
the third oven assembly to the battery in accordance with a third
heating profile.
20. The device of claim 14, further comprising at least one
infra-red sensor disposed in one or more of the mouthpiece
assembly, first oven assembly, second oven assembly, oven mount
assembly, and battery compartment assembly, wherein the infra-red
sensor is configured to sense a temperature of the device, and
wherein the device is configured to use the sensed temperature to
optimize temperature control of the device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure is directed to personal electronic
vaporizers, which may be used to generate vapor from a number of
substances, such as by using interchangeable heating chambers or
oven assemblies comprising unexposed heating elements.
BACKGROUND
Smoking devices, such as cigarette holders and pipes, are well
known in the art for providing flavored vapor from a smokable
substance to a user for therapeutic or smoking pleasure. However,
such devices provide no means of controlling the heating and
combustion of tobacco and other products. As a result, the devices
tend to produce by-products which may impart a bitter and/or burnt
taste to the mouth of a user.
In an effort to overcome these issues, there have been numerous
attempts to provide a device for delivering an active ingredient to
a consumer through vaporization rather than combustion. For
instance, many of the personal electronic vaporizers that are
currently on the market heat a substance without burning it in
order to release a vapor that contains the active ingredient(s) to
be delivered to the user. In some instances, the vapor is created
by placing the substance in contact with a metallic heating coil
inside of a chamber, which may also be made of metal. Airflow is
directed past the heated substance and exposed coil, often through
pathways constructed of metal, resulting in the desired delivery of
the vapor to the user. However, contact with metal may impart the
vapor with undesirable flavor.
In addition to eliminating issues with the taste of vapor, most
personal electronic vaporizers do not provide means for customizing
the vaping experience. For example, many personal electronic
vaporizers utilize the same heating profiles regardless of type of
substance to be vaporized, e.g. a solid, liquid or wax. As a
result, the user may not have the option to heat the substance to
an ideal temperature that will maximize vapor generation without
combusting the substance. Moreover, many personal electronic
vaporizers fail to provide the user with an integrated means of
filtering the vapor, and/or adjusting the flow of vapor to the user
in a desired amount. For these and other reasons, there remains a
need for a personal electronic vaporizer that allows for the
delivery of a good tasting vapor to a user, while providing the
user with a customizable vaping experience. While a variety of
personal electronic vaporizers have been made and used, it is
believed that no one prior to the inventors has made or used an
invention as described herein.
SUMMARY
The personal electronic vaporizer (hereinafter "PEV") according to
the present disclosure provides a number of advantages over the
vaporizers that are currently on the market. For example, the PEV
may be constructed so that the substance to be heated does not come
into contact with any metallic surfaces. This may be achieved by
encasing or enclosing the metal heating coil in glass mod/or a
glass coated substance. Moreover, the airflow pathways mod/or
heating chamber of the PEV may also be constructed of glass and/or
glass coated substances. The REV may also comprise a plurality of
ovens or oven assemblies that are interchangeably used to vaporize
herbs, waxes and liquids by way of heating profiles that are
particularly suited to provide maximum results and which are
associated with the particular oven assembly.
In some embodiments of the disclosure, a PEV is described. The PEV
may comprise a mouthpiece assembly defining a mouthpiece channel
surrounded by a material and including an external portion and an
internal portion. The PEV may further comprise a shell assembly
extending between a first end and a second end and defining a shell
pocket therein. The shell pocket may open through the first end and
may be configured to slidably receive the internal portion of the
mouthpiece assembly therein. The PEV may further comprise one or
more ovens or oven assemblies. For example, the PEV may comprise a
first oven assembly including a heating chamber surrounded by the
material, and a second oven assembly including a heating chamber
surrounded by the material. The PEV may further comprise a battery
compartment assembly removably secured to the second end of the
shell assembly, and an oven mount assembly removably secured to the
battery compartment assembly. The oven mount assembly may be
configured to selectively receive one of the first oven assembly
and the second oven assembly and align the heating chamber of the
selected oven assembly with the mouthpiece channel. The oven mount
assembly may be configured to receive the first oven assembly in a
first orientation and thereby electronically couple the first oven
assembly to the battery in accordance with a first heating profile.
The oven mount assembly may also be configured to receive the
second oven assembly in a second orientation and thereby
electronically couple the second oven assembly to the battery in
accordance with a second heating profile.
In some embodiments of the disclosure, a method is described. The
method may comprise the following steps: inserting a portion of a
mouthpiece assembly into a shell assembly; providing a first oven
assembly having a first heating chamber formed of a material, a
first connector, and a first identification prong; providing a
second oven assembly having a second heating chamber formed of the
material, a second connector, and a second identification prong;
selecting the first oven assembly; inserting the first oven
assembly into an oven mount assembly secured to a battery to
electronically couple the first oven assembly with the battery
through the first connector; receiving, by the oven mount assembly,
the first identification prong; securing the oven mount assembly to
the shell assembly; and heating, via the battery, the first heating
chamber in accordance with a first heating profile associated with
the first identification prong.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims which particularly
point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the
present invention will be better understood from the following
description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawing, in which like reference numerals identify the
same elements and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a personal
electronic vaporizer of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view thereof;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 3-3 of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an oven assembly,
an embodiment of an oven mount assembly, and an embodiment of a
battery compartment assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the oven assembly and oven
mount assembly of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the oven assembly of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the oven assembly of FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the oven mount assembly of FIG. 4;
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the oven mount assembly of FIG.
4;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the oven assembly of FIG. 4
connected with the oven mount assembly of FIG. 4;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG.
10;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the personal electronic vaporizer
of FIG. 1 and a mobile communication device;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a charging base
of the present invention; and
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the lower surface of battery
compartment assembly of the present invention.
The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is
contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be
carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not
necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings
incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate
several aspects of the present invention, and together with the
description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it
being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to
the precise arrangements shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following description of certain examples of the invention
should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.
Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of
the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of
the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will
be realized, the invention is capable of other different and
obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
The elements or features of the various embodiments are described
in detail hereinafter. Any reference to a singular characteristic
or limitation of the present disclosure shall include the
corresponding plural characteristics or limitations, and vice
versa, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the
contrary by the context in which the reference is made.
The apparatuses and methods described herein may comprise, consist
of or consist essentially of the elements and features of the
disclosure described herein, as well as any additional or optional
components, or features described herein or otherwise useful in
relation to the aforementioned apparatuses and methods.
The term "personal electronic vaporizer," which is used
interchangeably herein with "PEV," means a hand held electronic
device which vaporizes one or more substances for consumption
including, but not limited to, via inhalation, by a consumer.
Non-limiting examples of substances include solids, liquids, gels
and waxes. The PEV may take any shape to allow for the internal
components as described below to be integrated therein.
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, an embodiment of a personal
electronic vaporizer is shown and described as PEV 1. PEV 1 extends
generally from a top end 3 to a bottom end 5 and includes a
mouthpiece assembly 7, a top shell assembly 9, a container assembly
11, one or more of an oven assembly 13, an oven mount assembly 15,
and a battery compartment assembly 17. Each component or elements
of a component may be formed or coated using a medical grade
material, such as medical grade glass or medical grade stainless
steel.
Mouthpiece assembly 7 defines a mouthpiece channel 29 surrounded by
a material such as glass, ceramics, or polycarbonate. Mouthpiece
assembly 7 includes a shaft 34 extending outwardly away from and
continuing the channel 29 therethrough. Shaft 34 transitions into a
shoulder 47 and a boss 49, with channel 29 extending therethrough.
As shown in FIG. 3, channel 29 is a non-linear channel with
multiple loop-backs and 180 degree turns as channel 29 extends from
mouth area 33 to boss 49 and facilitate fluid communication between
mouth area 33 and boss 49. As such, the turning and looping back of
channel 29 creates a bubbler area 30 whereby a user may add water
or other substances into channel 29 to fill bubbler area 30 and
accordingly force any air or fluid passing through PEV 1 to pass
through the substance in bubbler area 30. For example, a user may
fill bubbler area 30 with an amount of tap water 32. As the user
then draws fluid through PEV 1, the fluid passes through the tap
water 32 in bubbler area 30 whereby heavier particles and
water-soluble molecules are trapped in the tap water 32, thus
preventing these particles from entering the user's airways. The
user may turn the mouthpiece assembly 7 upside down to empty the
tap water 32 from the bubbler area 30.
Top shell assembly 9 extends from a top end 39 to a bottom end 41
and includes a display screen 19 and a button 21. Display screen 19
is configured to be situated behind a mirrored or otherwise one way
transparent outer surface 23 of top shell assembly 9, whereby the
display screen 19 projects through the outer surface 23 when
energized and illuminated, and does not project through the outer
surface 23 when the display is not illuminated. Display screen 19
may be a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode (LED)
display, or any other mechanism for displaying visual information.
Top shell assembly 9 further includes an annular lip 43 and a
corresponding annular shoulder 44 proximate second end 41 for use
in securing top shell assembly 9 to battery compartment assembly
17.
Top shell assembly 9 further includes a ring 31 proximate the top
end 39. Ring 31 defines a primary intake opening 35 and a secondary
intake opening 37 and is rotatable in the direction of Arrow A and
Arrow B. Primary intake opening 35 may be rotated with respect to a
corresponding underlying opening to adjust the size of the overall
fluid pathway leading into the PEV 1. Similarly, secondary air
intake opening 37 may be rotated with respect to a corresponding
underlying opening to fine tune the size of the overall fluid
pathway leading into the PEV 1. By rotating ring 31, the user can
adjust the size of the openings for passing fluid into PEV 1 and
ultimately affect the flow rate of fluid into the PEV 1. In another
embodiment of PEV 1, ring 31 may be embodied by a ring 31A,
disposed proximate the second end 41 of top shell assembly 9. Ring
31A operates similarly to ring 31, with a primary intake opening
35A and one or more secondary intake openings 37A. Ring 31A may be
manually rotated by the user to open the intake openings in
accordance with the preference of the user.
Container assembly 11 includes a hollow body 51 and a corresponding
lid 53 for enclosing the hollow body 51. The container assembly 11
is shaped to define a recess 55 which generally corresponds to
another portion of the PEV 1 such that the recess 55 mates with the
other portion to be snuggly disposed thereon.
Battery compartment assembly 17 includes a battery 26 disposed
proximate an outer wall 25. Outer wall 25 defines a series of
dimples 27 for aesthetic purposes. Alternatively outer wall 25 may
define vent holes (not shown), configured to expel excess heat
generated through use of the battery 26 or may utilize vent holes
to allow air to enter the PEV 1 and aid in the vaporization.
Battery compartment assembly 17 further includes an annular lip 57
and a corresponding annular shoulder 59 sized and oriented to mate
with annular lip 43 and annular shoulder 44 of top shell assembly 9
to selectively fittingly engage top shell assembly 9 with battery
compartment assembly 17. Battery compartment assembly 17 further
includes a pair of electrodes 61 configured to electronically
couple with the positive and negative poles of the battery 26. The
pair of electrodes 61 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as electrode 61A
and electrode 61B. The battery compartment assembly 17 may also
include a latch 63 sized and oriented to mate with a corresponding
latch (not shown) proximate the second end 41 of the top shell
assembly 9 and slidingly engaged therewith to selectively hold top
shell assembly 9 to battery compartment assembly 17.
Battery 26 is preferably a rechargeable battery, such as those that
are currently used in electronic vaporizers (e.g., nickel cadmium
batteries, lithium ion batteries, lithium ion polymer batteries,
etc.). The battery may be recharged via an electrical wall outlet,
a car charger, and/or a USB on a suitable power source (e.g., a
computerized device).
As shown in FIGS. 3-7, oven assembly 13 is sized to be removably
received in a heater receptacle 95. As such, oven assembly 13
includes a generally cylindrical profile extending from a top end
67 to a bottom end 69. A pair of electrodes 71 extend outwardly at
bottom end 69, with one electrode having a positive pole, shown as
electrode 71A, and one electrode having a negative pole, shown as
electrode 71B. Electrodes 71 transfer electric power from oven
mount assembly 15 to a heating plate 73 configured to heat up and
increase in temperature in accordance with the amount of electric
power supplied from oven mount assembly 15. Heating plate 73 may
include an integrated heating coil (not shown) disposed therein or
a thermal film (not shown), a transparent film conductor (not
shown), or any other mechanism for converting electrical power from
battery 26 into heat.
A preheating area 74 (FIG. 3) may be disposed under and around
heating plate 73. Preheating area is configured to be placed in the
path of the air traveling through PEV 1 to the oven assembly 13,
such as the air is preheated before traveling to oven assembly 13.
The preheating area 74 increases the speed with which the PEV 1 may
heat the air surrounding the medium in oven assembly 13, which in
turn shortens the time the user has to wait to receive the vapors
from the properly heated medium in oven assembly 13. The preheating
area 74 may be configured to create a convection type of
environment, whereby the air is circulated past heating elements to
continuously warm and heat the air before the air is drawn into the
oven assembly 13.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 oven assembly 13 further includes a
porous ceramic tray 75 in an abutting relationship with heating
plate 73 such that ceramic tray 75 absorbs the heat generated by
heating plate 73 and changes temperature generally in accordance
with heating plate 73. Oven assembly 13 further includes a plenum
ring 77 proximate ceramic tray 75 and defining an aperture 78
therethrough. Oven assembly 13 further includes an oven base 79
having a plurality of air holes 81 defined thereby for allowing the
air to travel through in the direction of Arrows D. Oven base 79 is
topped by a cylindrical shroud 83. As shown in FIG. 5, plenum ring
77 is configured to allow fluid to pass in through aperture 78 in
the direction of Arrow C and thereafter pass through air holes 81
of oven base 79 in the direction of Arrows D. Oven assembly 13 may
further include a porous glass filter or frit element (not shown)
oriented such that the air may travel through the frit relatively
slowly, reducing the flow rate of the air as the air travels
through a pathway of PEV 1, to allow more time for the air to heat
up and retain heat. The frit in turn acts to increase a dwell time
for heat transfer along the pathway.
In an embodiment of the invention, the frit or glass filter may be
disposed within ceramic tray 75, within aperture 78 and/or air
holes 81, or layered between or adjacent to any of the various
elements within oven assembly 13. For example, a frit layer may be
disposed between plenum ring 77 and oven base 79 to slow the air
passing through oven assembly 13 and allow a longer exposure to
heating plate 73.
Oven assembly 13 may include zero, one, or two identification
prongs. In the illustrated embodiment, oven assembly 13 includes a
first identification prong 85 and a second identification prong 87.
Identification prongs signal the intended heating profile of the
particular oven assembly 13. As will be described in greater detail
below, the identified heating profile is used by other components
of PEV 1 to heat the oven assembly in accordance with specified
criteria. In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating
profile includes a goal temperature, wherein the PEV 1 heats the
oven assembly 13 to the goal temperature specified by the heating
profile. Inasmuch as both the first identification prong 85 and the
second identification prong 87 may be present or absent in a
particular oven assembly 13, the PEV 1 may use this presence or
absence of these two components, or any combination thereof, as a
signifier of a particular profile associated with the particular
oven assembly 13. For example, the PEV 1 may be configured such
that the presence of first identification prong 85 coupled with the
absence of the second identification prong 87 indicates to the PEV
1 that a first heating profile is associated with the underlying
oven assembly. If the first heating profile includes a goal
temperature or goal temperature range of 345 to 355 degrees
Fahrenheit, the PEV 1 will act to heat the medium in the oven
assembly 13 to between 345 and 355 degrees. The temperature of the
medium is determined through one or more sensors configured to
sense or derive the temperature of the medium.
As discussed in greater detail below, PEV 1 may include temperature
sensors. For example, infrared sensors, thermocouple style sensors,
and/or thermistor style sensors for precise temperature sensing of
the medium. One major deficiency of in the prior art relates to
temperature control. PEV's in the prior art simply measure a
mechanical element of the PEV, such as the heating coil or a
particular plate or surface, and thereafter base the actuation or
termination of the heating on those measured temperatures. However,
the temperature of a particular PEV element and the temperature of
the underlying medium may vary wildly. Thus, the PEV may actuate or
terminate heating in an inefficient manner, with respect to the
requirements of the medium for proper and efficient vapor
generation. PEV 1 includes multiple sensors and logic circuitry
configured to determine or derive the temperature of the medium
itself and actuates or terminates the heating based on whether the
temperature of the medium is within the goal range. This results in
a greater experience for the user through the increased efficiency
of heating and vaporizing the medium.
Different smokable substances or mediums may be best suited for
different heating profiles. For example, a solid substance may be
best suited for a first heating profile, while a liquid substance
may be best suited for a second heating profile. Still further, a
wax substance may require a third heating profile. As such, the
user may select a particular oven assembly 13 based on intended
substance and the heating profile associated with the selected oven
assembly 13. For example, if a user wishes to vaporize solid
tobacco in PEV 1, the user will select the oven assembly 13
configured for use with solid substances and load the selected oven
assembly 13 into PEV 1. Thereafter, based on the arrangement of the
first identification prong 85 and the second identification prong
87, the PEV 1 will recognize the particular heating profile
associated with the selected oven assembly 13 and will heat the
oven assembly 13 in the manner best suited for a solid
substance.
Correlating the presence or absence of identification prongs is a
non-limiting example of a mechanism for signaling different heating
profiles in the present invention. Oven assemblies 13 may include
alternative mechanisms for signaling a heating profile. For
example, in certain configurations of PEV 1, a radio frequency
identification (RFID) tags or other similar identification methods
may be used or incorporated into the signaling of different heating
profiles.
As shown in FIGS. 5, 8, and 9, oven mount assembly 15 includes
three main components: a cap 89, a circuit board assembly 91, and a
backing plate 93. Cap 89 defines multiple recesses and apertures
for accessing elements on circuit board assembly 91 through cap 89.
Cap 89 includes a heater receptacle 95 that defines a channel 97
therein for receiving a selected oven assembly 13. Cap 89 includes
a pair of electrode through holes 99 configured to allow a
corresponding electrode 71 of an oven assembly 13 to pass through
cap 89 and into elements of the circuit board assembly 91 (FIG.
11). Similarly, cap 89 includes a pair of identification prong
through holes 101 configured to allow first identification prong 85
and second identification prong 87 to pass through cap 89 and into
elements of the circuit board assembly 91. As such, cap 89 is
primarily configured to receive a selected oven assembly 13 into
heater receptacle 95 and align the electrodes 61 and identification
prongs 85 and 87 with underlying elements of circuit board assembly
91.
As shown in FIG. 9, circuit board assembly 91 includes various
electronic components, logic, and support structure to enable
battery 26 to interface with oven assembly 13 as desired. As such,
circuit board assembly 91 includes a microprocessor 103 coupled
with a circuit board 105. A pair of receiving terminals 107 are
disposed on the circuit board 105 proximate a bracket 106,
configured to receive electrodes 61 extending from the battery 26
and electronically couple the battery 26 to the circuit board 105
to energize the circuit board assembly 91. Similarly, a pair of
receiving terminals 109 are disposed on the circuit board 105,
configured to receive electrodes 71 extending from oven assembly 13
and electronically couple the oven assembly 13 with the circuit
board assembly 91. Circuit board assembly 91 further includes an
identification terminal 111 and an identification terminal 113,
whereby identification terminal 111 is configured to receive first
identification prong 85 therein and identification terminal 113 is
configured to receive second identification prong 87 therein. As
such, circuit board assembly 91 may poll identification terminal
111 and identification terminal 113 to determine whether the
particular selected oven assembly 13 includes one or both of the
first identification prong 85 and the second identification prong
87, or whether the selected oven assembly 13 does not include
either prong. As discussed above, the circuit board assembly 91 can
derive the particular heating profile for the selected oven
assembly 13 based on the presence or absence of one or both of the
first identification prong 85 and the second identification prong
87.
Circuit board assembly 91 further includes a temperature sensor 115
extending from circuit board 105 and oriented to be proximate the
oven assembly 13 when an oven assembly 13 is disposed in heater
receptacle 95. Temperature sensor 115 is illustrative of one
embodiment of the present invention, as circuit board assembly 91
may further include multiple infrared sensors (not shown),
thermocouple style sensors (not shown), and thermistors style
sensors (not shown) for precise sensing or derivation of the
temperature of the medium for use in control of the heat directed
at the smoking substance or medium. Circuit board assembly 91
further includes a jumper socket 116 configured to receive
corresponding electrical wiring (not shown) from display screen 19
and button 21 and electronically and logically couple display
screen 19, button 21, and microprocessor 103 such that
microprocessor 103 may actuate display screen 19 in accordance with
the logic stored therein and in accordance with actuation of the
button 21 by the user. While circuit board assembly 91 is shown as
a feature of oven mount assembly 15, in other embodiments of the
present invention, circuit board assembly 91 or a similar element
thereof, may be disposed in other assemblies or components of PEV
1. For example, in an embodiment of the invention, a circuit board
assembly may be disposed in the top shell assembly 9.
Alternatively, PEV 1 may include a master controller and slave
controller disposed anywhere in the PEV 1 and in communication
through various wiring and logic circuitry.
Backing plate 93 is sized and configured to brace circuit board
assembly 91 and hold circuit board assembly 91 firmly between cap
89 and backing plate 93. As such, backing plate 93 includes a
plurality of fastener receivers 117 for receiving a corresponding
series of fasteners 119 therein, whereby fasteners 119 are
configured to pin and hold the circuit board assembly 91 to backing
plate 93. Backing plate 93 defines a pair of apertures 121 aligned
and sized to allow electrodes 61 from battery 26 to pass through
backing plate 93 and into receiving terminals 107 of circuit board
assembly 91.
As shown in FIG. 12, PEV 1 may include a wireless module 121
electronically coupled with microprocessor 103 through
corresponding wiring (not shown). Wireless module 121 is configured
to wirelessly electronically couple with a corresponding wireless
communication module 122 of a mobile communication device 123. The
mobile communication device 122 includes logic and circuitry to
connect wireless communication module 122 with an interface
application 125 having a graphical user interface (not shown). The
interface application 125 may be configured to respond to input
from the user and transmit these user commands from mobile
communication device 1 to PEV 1. In turn, PEV 1 is configured to
receive these user commands via the wireless module 121 and provide
these commands to microprocessor 103. Microprocessor 103 interprets
these user commands and actuates the various components and
elements of PEV 1 accordingly. Microprocessor 103 is further
configured to collect various metrics, data points, and related
information and provide this data to mobile communication device
123 for display to the user through interface application 125.
PEV 1 may further include a speaker 127 electronically coupled with
microprocessor 103 through corresponding wiring (not shown).
Speaker 127 is configured to receive information and data from
microprocessor 103 and transmit sound waves in accordance with the
received information. For example, microprocessor 103 may provide
musical data to speaker 127, whereby speaker 127 transmits this
musical data as sound waves to the user through PEV 1. Speaker 127
may ultimately be controlled by a user through any combination of
display screen 19, button 21, and interface application 125 on
mobile communication device 123.
PEV 1 may further include a pathway 129 surrounded entirely by a
material 131 and extending from inside the oven assembly 13 out
through the mouthpiece channel 29 of the mouthpiece assembly 7. As
shown in FIG. 13 and starting inside the oven assembly 13, tray 75,
ring 77, oven base 79, and cylindrical shroud 83 are all formed of
the material 131. Further, shaft 34 defining bubbler area 30 and
mouth area 33 are also formed of the material 131. As such, as the
medium is heated in oven assembly 13, the medium itself and the
vapors emitted therefrom is entirely surrounded by the material 131
as the vapors travel along pathway 129. In an embodiment of the
invention, the material is inert, chemically stable, and
thermodynamically stable. This ensures the vapors are untainted by
the material as the vapors travel along pathway 129. Further, by
heating oven assembly 13 through heating plate 73, situated outside
of pathway 129, the vapors are untainted by electrical components
of PEV 1, such as heating coils or other undesirable elements that
may alter the vapors or the medium in undesirable ways. In an
embodiment of the invention, the material 131 is a relatively pure
glass material, a ceramic glass material, a relatively pure ceramic
material, or a polycarbonate material. The term "relatively pure"
signifies the material may include some common slight impurities or
colorants.
In operation, a user my grasp PEV 1 and rotate top shell assembly 9
and battery compartment assembly 17 axially to disengage latch 63
and release the two components. This release exposes container
assembly 11 to the user, which may be detached from around heater
receptacle 95 of oven mount assembly 15. The user thereafter opens
lid 53 of compartment assembly 17 to expose the medium stored in
hollow body 51. Depending on the medium, the user thereafter
selects the appropriate oven assembly 13. For example, if the
medium is a solid, the user may select a corresponding oven
assembly 13 configured to properly and efficiently heat a solid
medium using a particular heating profile associated with the
selected oven assembly 13. Alternatively, if the medium is a liquid
or a wax, another more appropriate oven assembly 13 may be
selected.
After the oven assembly 13 is selected, the user inserts the medium
into the cylindrical shroud such that the medium rests on oven base
79. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the user thereafter inserts the
selected oven assembly 13 into channel 97 of heater receptacle 95
of oven mount assembly 15 in the direction of Arrow D. The oven
assembly 13 is inserted into heater receptacle 95 in a particular
orientation, whereby each electrode 71A and 71B is passed through
electrode through holes 99 of cap 89 and is received in
corresponding receiving terminals 109 of circuit board assembly 91.
Similarly, if the selected oven assembly 13 includes a first
identification prong 85, the first identification prong 85 is
passed through one of the identification prong through holes 101
and is received in corresponding receiving terminal 111 of circuit
board assembly 91. If the selected oven assembly 13 includes second
identification prong 87, the second identification prong 87 is
passed through one of the identification prong through holes 101
and is received in corresponding receiving terminal 113 of circuit
board assembly 91.
Once the selected oven assembly 13 is loaded with the medium and
inserted into the oven mount assembly 15, the user then aligns top
shell assembly 9 with battery compartment assembly 17 and axially
twists the two elements to engage latch 63 to firmly hold top shell
assembly 9 to battery compartment assembly 17. If desired, the user
may then remove the mouthpiece assembly 7 and fill bubbler area 30
with liquid, such as water, for filtering the vapors of the
medium.
Once the mouthpiece assembly 7 is coupled with the top shell
assembly 9 and the selected oven assembly 13 is disposed in the
oven mount assembly 15, the PEV 1 is actuated to heat the medium in
the oven assembly 13. The heating may be actuated by the user
through manual manipulation of button 21 or through manipulation of
interface application 125 on mobile communication device 123 and
feedback may be provided to the user through display screen 19.
In response to a heating request by the user, the microprocessor
103 polls identification terminal 111 and identification terminal
113 to determine the particular configuration, through a
combination of the presence or absence of the first identification
prong 85 and the second identification prong 87, of the selected
oven assembly 13. In one example, the presence or absence of the
identification prongs correlates to a two digit binary number such
as 00, 01, 10, or 11 stored in a lookup table in the microprocessor
103. The microprocessor 103 thereafter retrieves the particular
heating profile associated with the configuration of the
identification prongs and initiates heating of the heating plate 73
in accordance with the retrieved heating profile. The heating of
heating plate 73 is performed by energizing heating plate 73
through a current supplied by battery 26 and tailored to the
heating profile.
Next, the medium is heated in the oven assembly 13 through heating
of the heating plate 73. The user thereafter orally engages mouth
area 33 of mouthpiece assembly 7 and applies negative pressure on
the mouthpiece assembly 7 to draw air through PEV 1. The negative
pressure at mouthpiece assembly 7 draws air from primary intake
opening 35 and secondary intake openings 37 through oven assembly
13 and around the heated medium. The vapors from the heated medium
are drawn up through pathway 129, through bubbler area 30, and into
mouthpiece channel 29, where the vapors are inhaled or otherwise
utilized by the user. The user may selectively rotate ring 31 on
top shell assembly 9 to expose or cover primary intake opening 35
and/or secondary intake openings 37 and customize the pressure and
air flow through the PEV 1. The vapors from the heated medium
travel along pathway 129, which is entirely surrounded by material
131 configured to not taint or chemically disrupt the vapors.
The entire experience may be enhanced by actuating PEV 1 to play
music or other audible sounds through speaker 127.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a charging base 135 may be provided to
recharge battery 26. Charging base 135 includes a power cord (not
shown) configured to draw power from a wall outlet or other similar
power source. Charging base 135 further includes a recess 137,
wherein a positive charging pole 139 and a negative charging pole
141 reside. As shown on FIG. 15, the bottom surface of battery
compartment assembly 17 may include a charging area 143
complementarily shaped to mate with recess 137. Charging area 143
includes a positive charging pole 147 configured to mate with
positive charging pole 139 and a negative charging pole 145
configured to mate with negative charging pole 141. The mating of
the poles completes a charging circuit between battery 26 and
charging base 135 and acts to recharge battery 26. Charging base
135 may be configured to provide over five amps of charging to the
battery 26. In one embodiment of the charging base 135, the battery
26 is charged using a twenty amp circuit to allow for quick
charging of battery 26, which may be less than ten minutes. While
charging base 135 is shown and described herein, any other
mechanism for recharging battery 26 is contemplated, such as a USB
style power cord or a standard power cord plugged directly into the
body of battery compartment assembly 17.
* * * * *
References